Kabrea Thomas

Take a risk on yourself and trust that what you want will come to you as long as you work for it.

 

With a savvy sense of style, Kabrea’s has been able to push all boundaries with her drive, ambition and determination. As a young entrepreneur, author and fashionista she serves as the ultimate inspiration and living proof of attainable success for many.

Self-Motivated Kabrea started her first buisness, Fashionably Yours, at just the age of nineteen. After getting forced out of college because her family were no longer able to afford college, Kabrea then applied to several unpaid internships to get her foot in the door. After a year and a half of working retail, and two internships Thomas found a new love and talent of hers- personal styling. Kabrea loved the idea of developing a friendship with her clients while customizing a wardrobe suitable for their lifestyle. In 2013, it was just the beginning of her many successes.

Currently Kabrea is now the owner of a new business venture – Signature Scents by Hand, a Brooklyn based fragrance shop that makes all natural, vegan friendly fragrances by hand.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

The idea for both of my businesses came from me ideally. My image consulting firm began as I started working retail, and realized there was a need for women to have a wardrobe filled with clothes that make her feel confident within herself.

As far as my fragrance business, who doesn’t love smelling good? But I thought what if we can smell good and feel good without the harmful toxins found in fragrances, creams, soaps, etc.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

A typical day for me changes from time to time, especially now that I am a full-time entrepreneur. Some days I am making scents to add into the inventory. Some days I am doing admin work, meeting with clients for both businesses.

Throughout it all I’ve learned that in order for my day to run smoothly and be productive I need two things: 1. ME time for the first 2 hours before I start my day. ME time could be extra sleep, exercising or even meditating. And lastly I need music. Music gets me through the day, especially when the day is filled with admin work.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Ideas come from different sources for me. Ideally “ideas” are like projects for me. One I complete one project I am on to the next one. In order for me to bring my idea to life I have to strategically think how can I make this possible and when can I get it done. Once I have the timeline of this idea or project I create a list of the tools I need, and start the research process of where I can get access to these tools.

What’s one trend that excites you?

A trend that excites me I’d have to say would be the use of hashtags. It still amazing to me who I can network with through the use of hashtags on all social media platforms.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

A habit that keeps me productive I would have to say is my problem solving skills. As an entrepreneur you get to the point where you’re so used to going through so many obstacles that you become a problem solver, which helps me think outside the box. If something can’t get done this way, then what’s another way I can get it done.

What advice would you give your younger self?

The advice I would give to my younger self is to be more confident. I would tell my younger self that you are beautiful inside and out, and whatever you put your mind to it will get done.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

A lot of people don’t agree on taking a leap. When I say taking a leap, I mean taking a risk on yourself and trusting that what you want will come to you as long as you work for it.

I think everyone loves the idea of being successful, however never wants to put the work in for it.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

As an entrepreneur I believe google is your best friend. For example for my fragrance business I was learning that not a lot of people no longer read their emails and I always send emails out 3 to 4 times a week. After I did some research I found others ways I can be creative and still stay in contact with my customers.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Being professional has helped me expand my business. It doesn’t matter your race, gender, age as long as you remain professional and talk to everyone with respect they will mirror they way you approach them.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

One major “challenge” that I had was hosting my own events. I think there’s so much detail you have to pay attention to when having your own event. You have to make sure the venue is in easy location to travel to, promote as much as possible. Also your the theme of your event has to make someone want to leave the comfort of their bed to come to your event. In the beginning I think I was putting too much on my plate and making things complicated. In the end I realized that I have to trust my team and delicate tasks to others so I can get what I need to get done.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

An idea that I’d like to give is away is that it’s important to give your customers options. For both my businesses my clients have choices whether it’s choosing which part of her wardrobe she wants to focus on, or which scent they’d want to wear for their date on Saturday. Customer like choices!

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Recently I decided to go on a low budget shopping spree for myself. And I actually spent less than $100 on 4 pairs of jeans and a pair of shoes.

I use this as an example because for me it was a big deal, and it was a form of self care. Although my schedule does tend to get busy I have to remember to make some time for myself. And little things like that matter.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I’m not computer savvy, but I am loving Google doc, and my Google calendar. Without those two a lot of things for my business would not get done on time. I absolutely love the fact that things do sync, and I can start where I left off.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

One book I’d recommend everyone who wants to be their own boss should read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I believe that your mindset is everything. If you had the mindset of someone who’s poor you will always be poor. If you have the mindset of someone who’s rich, you will become rich.

What is your favorite quote?

One of my favorite quotes is actually something my grandmother always tells me when I’m feeling down, and that’s that good things take time.

Key learnings:

• Be a problem solver (think outside the box)
• Take that leap
• Google is your best friend
• Always be professional!
• Learn from your challenges

Connect:

Instagram- @kabreathomas1
Facebook- Kabrea Thomas

Fashion Business
Instagram – @fashionablyyoursnyc
Facebook – fashionablyyoursnyc

Fragrance Business
Instagram – @signaturescentsbyhand
Facebook – Signature Scents by Hand